Learning to be patient with yourself is so rewarding.
Have you ever noticed that at times you can extend more patience to others than yourself? If you have ever thought something along the lines of “I should be further along by now”, then you know exactly what I’m referring to.
You may have even prayed to be more patient with yourself, but things seemed to get worse. This is because patience isn’t external.
God already gave you all the patience you need in this life and He uses situations and circumstances to help draw the patience out of you.
Learning to be patient with yourself is a ongoing process, but as stated before it is so rewarding. May God bless you through this post and give you all the ideas you need to extend this fruit to yourself.
This post is all about learning to be patient with yourself.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
What Is Patience
Patience is the ability to withstand the pressures, aggravations, and delays of life. It is a fruit of the Spirit that has the potential to grow without limitation.
If you think about it, fruit is usually the last thing to grow on a tree and every tree starts as a seed.
Once seeds are put into the ground, the process of growing starts and the end result is a tree that produces fruit with more seeds in them.
Like a tree, you are on a journey of growing in patience not only for yourself, but for others. Again, you don’t have to pray for the fruit because you were designed to grow it.
Remember you were made in the image of God which means that you have His nature (Genesis 1:26).
Patience is inside of you and as long as you’re following Holy Spirit, you will produce its fruit. So don’t allow yourself to get stuck worrying about the timing of things.
Just let it happen naturally like it’s supposed to.
3 Reasons Why Is It Hard To Have Patience With Yourself
Here are three reasons why it may be hard to have patience with yourself:
1. You May Not Fully Understand Yourself Yet
1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV-Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
Being human is a very special thing. A huge reason why it can be hard to have patience with yourself is because you don’t understand who and what you are.
Out of all creation, God decided to make you in His image after His likeness. He decided that you would be the temple that His Spirit would reside in.
He made you to not only possess things like patience, but to fully embody them. Once you come to terms with the true essence of who you are, then things like patience, become a little bit easier to give to yourself.
Having patience with yourself will still require work even after you begin to understand yourself.
NOTE: Trees exert the most energy when fruit is being produced, so you will need to give your best when learning how to grow in patience.
2. Your Definition Is Different From God’s
1 Corinthians 8:6 NIV-Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
Another reason it may be hard to have patience with yourself is because you don’t understand what patience is. God is the Source of patience.
If you’re getting your definition of patience from the world, then you won’t understand what it is. God has a way of growing patience in your life that is different from what any other person has experienced.
NOTE: Apple and fig trees both produce delicious fruit, but they grow extremely differently from each other.
3. You Haven’t Given It To Yourself Consistently
John 15:12 NIV-My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
The final reason why it may be hard to have patience with yourself is because you don’t practice giving patience to you (Which is why you clicked on this post, be patient!)
It’s so easy to forget about yourself when you’re busy helping others. This is why you have to practice romanticizing the life God has given you.
NOTE: A good farmer is one who grows his crops in a way that is ethical and aligning with the natural ways of farming. He does this so that he and others can benefit from the harvest.
Once the harvest comes, he will delight in giving, but will also keep some for himself to make sure its of quality.
5 Benefits Of Patience
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV-But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The word fruit can easily be interchanged with the word benefit. Those who work in the corporate world probably know a lot about the benefits of working for their companies.
With That Being Said, Let’s Get Into The Benefits Of Patience:
1. Patience Is A Component Of Love
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV-Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
When you start to truly love yourself, you’ll find that you are patient with yourself as well. Think about healthy parents who are raising their baby.
They love the baby and enjoy seeing him grow.
2. Patience Allows You To See From A Different Perspective
Romans 12:12 ESV-Be joyful in hope, patient in tribulation, faithful in prayer.
The Greek word for tribulation is thilipsis. Thilipsis means pressure (literally or figuratively).
In life, there will be moments of pressure that may seem unbearable in the moment. The pressure is always meant for purpose, but it does come with pain.
Child birth is the perfect display of pain and purpose. A woman giving birth isn’t comfortable during labor and delivery, but the pressure is necessary to bring forth life.
The reason the scripture says to be patient in tribulation is because your perspective of tribulation will determine your outcome.
It sometimes takes patience to filter our perspective through God’s.
3. Patience Is A Tool Used To Prepare You
2 Peter 3:9 NLT-The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
The waiting season you’re going through is a time of preparation. It’s designed for you to share in intimacy with God while He develops your character.
You are allowed to desire everything God has put on your heart, but you can’t skip the preparation.
It’s kind of like preparing a great meal. You have to gather all the ingredients, prepare them, and allow them time to be cooked for your and other’s enjoyment.
What if this is the time where God is really waiting on you to finally see yourself as He sees you?
4. Patience Helps You Calm Conflicts
Proverbs 15:18 ESV-A hot tempered person stirs up conflict, but he one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Have you ever noticed that when two people are angry nothing gets resolved? Patience is a remedy for that. If you have patience, you can calm conflicts.
5. Having Patience Leads To Understanding
John 13:7 NLT-Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
Jesus spent 3 years with the disciples and He told them many things that they didn’t understand until later.
Maybe you’re where the disciples used to be. It’s very similar to how your parents told you things when you were little.
You didn’t know it when you were little, but patience was setting in so that you could grow in understanding.
Now you can look back and thank mama and daddy for their wise words that you now understand.
13 Tips To Be Patient With Yourself
1. Seek The Kingdom And Righteousness
Matthew 6:33 NKJV-But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
You were sent to the Earth from a Heavenly kingdom that’s contrary to the world. This is why there’s scriptures that say “you’re not of this world (John 17:16)”.
In order to discover who you really are, you have to seek to learn about where you’re from and the lay of the land.
2. Become Aware Of What Impatience Sounds Like
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NIV-Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven, if there was anything to forgive, I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake. In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Impatience has a voice that you are very familiar with. Phrases of impatience are:
- “I should be further along by now”
- “Nothing is changing, so what’s the point”?
- “God is taking too long, I’ll do it myself”
- “Why am I still here”?
- “Maybe I didn’t hear God right”.
- “I must not be doing enough”
- “If something doesn’t change soon, I’m done”.
3. Practice Positive Self-Talk
Colossians 4:6 NIV-Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may now how to answer everyone.
Your inner dialogue has a significant impact on your mental health. If you ever stopped and paid close attention to your thoughts, you would notice that the same thoughts play over and over in your mind.
One of the easiest ways to practice positive self talk is to utilize the power of affirmations. You can place affirmations on your mirror, dashboard of your car, refrigerator, or even use a YouTube video every morning as a guide.
I created bible-based affirmations for Self-Love and you can check them out HERE.
4. Water Your Own Grass
Ephesians 4:1 NLT-Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
When you’re working on yourself, it’s easy to get tempted into looking at someone else’s life. Comparison can make it seem like others are much further along than you especially with social media at our finger tips.
Instead of allowing comparison to get you off track, remember that your progress isn’t predicated upon someone else’s life.
You are right where God needs you to be so continue to focus on your own journey.
5. Stop Repeating What Was Done To You
Romans 12:2 NIV-Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Remember how I mentioned that you’re not from this world? The people around you may not understand this, but you now do.
This means that you have to renew your mind and start to learn a new way of living. Before you thought you had to hurry to get somewhere or make the money and now you’re learning to take your time in life.
You are becoming more and more okay with slowing down and enjoying the little moments.
Also it’s okay not to know. You aren’t less than because you aren’t aware of something.
{RELATED POST:15 Ways To Develop A Positive Attitude}
6. Remember You’re Not Alone
John 14:18 NIV-I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.
This process can feel daunting at times. You’re learning something new.
You may feel all alone in this and that’s normal. Please remember that the truth is that you’re never alone.
God is with you and before you know it He will send others to accompany you on your journey.
But for now, enjoy your time with your Father.
7. Get Curious About Yourself
Psalm 139:14 KJV-I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Have you ever thought about why God made you the way that you are? You may not understand why you’re so sensitive, but that may be a hidden gift.
8. Redefine What Success Looks Like
Philippians 4:13 NKJV-I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Your life will not look like another person’s life. It’s so easy to get caught up in what others believe success is, but have you ever thought about what success looks like in your own eyes?
What about what God thinks is success? For some of us, success can be getting out of bed and putting on some regular clothes.
{RELATED POST:11 Must-Have Items To Help With Depression}
9. Pray For Clarity
Colossians 3:3 ESV-For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Clarity is extremely important to being patient with yourself because you need to understand your specific needs.
God wants to show you who He created you to be and how to have a healthy relationship with yourself.
10. Celebrate Small Wins
Zechariah 4:10 KJV-For who hath despised the day of small things? For the shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
A win is still a win no matter how small it may be. When you’re able to celebrate small wins, you start to appreciate every step of your journey.
Being patient with yourself allows you to be present enough to do so.
11. Compliment Yourself More
Psalm 17:8 ESV-Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Instead of paying attention to what you need to improve on, start to focus in on the progress you’re making.
Start to encourage and hype yourself up as you would do for a friend.
This will boost your confidence in unexpected ways.
12. Stop Judging Yourself
Proverbs 24:16 NLT-The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
You’re learning, growing, falling, and getting back up. This is all a part of the process. Progress isn’t linear and may I add that you haven’t given up!
That deserves a round of applause!
13. Recognize Your Triggers And Patterns
Matthew 6:22 ESV-Th eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
What is the source of your frustration with yourself? Is it because you are self-sabotaging in any way?
Or is it something else? Once you identify the triggers and patterns, it will help you to break the negative cycle.
For the next couple of weeks, I want you to try to implement one of these tips into your life. Learning to be patient with yourself is a journey and you don’t have to be in a rush. Let yourself be free enough to take this one step at a time. As you grow, others will begin to notice the fruit of patience in your life as well. I hope this post was able to help you and that God spoke to your heart. If you have any other tips you know about, I would love it if you comment them down below.
This post was all about learning to be patient with yourself.
Always remember you’re destined to win because He got up!
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